In America, Ellis Island has been known as a place for the tired and weary from other nations to seek temporary shelter as they look to start a new life. But with sea levels rising and people losing their homes not to war or famine, but to water, <a href="http://www.oculus.com.au">Oculus</a> has proposed a new type of floating refuge. Called the <a href="http://www.aila.org.au/sea-change/slides/009.htm">Embassy of the Drowned Nations</a> and located in Fort Denison, Australia, the dynamic inverted island will be a "blend of Atlantis and Eden" and serve as a safe haven for anyone who has lost their home to rising sea levels.

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Embassy of the Drowned Nations

One of the winners of the <a href="http://www.aila.org.au/sea-change/default.htm">Sea Change 2030+ competition</a>, the Embassy will serve as both temporary housing and to spread awareness about <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/03/05/maldives-to-fight-rising-sea-levels-with-floating-islands/">rising sea levels</a>.

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Embassy of the Drowned Nations

The innovative inverted design of the island will cause it to sink deeper into the harbor as water levels rise, while at the same time exposing new land in the center of the mini-city.

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Embassy of the Drowned Nations

"The newly exposed land will be the possession of the people that have lost theirs: an echo of the loss they have endured with the gift of a new space," writes Oculus in their proposal.

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Embassy of the Drowned Nations

A graph showing areas affected by rising tides.

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Embassy of the Drowned Nations

During their time on the island, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/23/six-flood-proof-buildings-that-can-survive-rising-tides/">rising tide</a> refugees will be given the chance to grieve and recuperate in a safe space. When they are ready to move on, they will have to opportunity to join Australian society.

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Embassy of the Drowned Nations

The island will also house a Climate Change Institute and Research Center.

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Embassy of the Drowned Nations

In America, Ellis Island has been known as a place for the tired and weary from other nations to seek temporary shelter as they look to start a new life. But with sea levels rising and people losing their homes not to war or famine, but to water, Oculus has proposed a new type of floating refuge. Called the Embassy of the Drowned Nations and located in Fort Denison, Australia, the dynamic inverted island will be a "blend of Atlantis and Eden" and serve as a safe haven for anyone who has lost their home to rising sea levels.